Maintenance & Adjustments

Maintenance

General Recommendations

•Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.

•The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed here.

•All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.

•Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight.

•Regularly apply lubricant to mower’s cutting surfaces, cutting reel axle shaft and wheels.

Cleaning the Mower

To prevent the build-up of grass clippings or other debris, clean the mower by wiping it down with a damp cloth after each use.

•Scrape and clean the mower with a suitable tool (e.g. a plastic scraper or brush).

•Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean the mower.

•Remove deposits from the wheel tread.

Blade Care

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

Periodically sharpen the blades as follows:

1.Spread a thin layer of lapping compound (100 - 240 grit) on the front edge of the reel blades.

2.Adjust the cutter bar so that the blade has light but firm contact across the full width of the cutter bar. Refer to Blade Clearance Adjustment later in this section.

3.Operate the mower on a paved surface until the front edge of the cutter bar blade is polished.

4.Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar blade, reel blade, pinions, and pawls.

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Adjustments

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them. Any wheel rotation can cause the blade reel to rotate.

Blade Clearance Adjustment

The blade reel is adjusted for proper clearance from the cutting bar at the factory. However, after extended periods of mowing or as part of annual maintenance, it is recommended that the blade clearance be readjusted.

•If blade clearance is too wide, the cutting pattern will be rough and uneven.

•If blade clearance is too narrow, the machine will be noisy and difficult to push while operating.

To adjust blade clearance, proceed as follows:

1.Locate the adjustment bolts found on the underside of the cutting bar on the rear of the mower.

2.Using a 13mm wrench, tighten the adjustment bolts (one on each end) 1/4-turn. See Fig. 5-1.

Caution: Do not overtighten the adjusting screws, as this could damage the cutter bar. Tighten both screws during final adjustment.

Figure 5-1

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